Laptop essential
Just because you're travelling for business doesn't mean that your briefcase has to be bland and bulky. Montreal-based WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie has put a sleek spin on the everyday attache with its de Gaulle computer bag. Crafted from buttery smooth Italian leather and bearing the designer's signature gold and silver blend zipper, you may be tempted to carry it around even when you don't have a laptop in tow. Available in black and cognac. $1,175; wantessentiels.com

Duffle by Chow
Go faux-vintage on your next weekend getaway with Krane's Haley bag. Made in Canada by men's wear designer Ken Chow, the roomy duffle has the worn-in look and no-nonsense durability of your favourite leather jacket. The design, however, is anything but old-fashioned. Chow graduated from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and interned with Marc Jacobs - his precise tailoring technique gives the bag an edgy industrial chic look. $905; kranedesign.com

For city or country
Heavyweight, closely woven waxed cotton twill and military-grade cotton webbing make Best Made's Rucksack a hardy choice for hands-free day tripping. The compact backpack can endure the rigours of a mountain hike and canoe trip, but works just as well when pounding pavement on sightseeing tours. Adjustable shoulder straps and a semi-rigid padded back panel keep things comfortable. $270 (U.S.); bestmadeco.com